ARAB SHORTS 2010

ARAB SHORTS, an initiative to support independent Arab filmakers started by the Goethe Institute last year will hold its 2nd Festival at the Goethe-Institute Cairo in 5 El Bustan Street - Downtown from Saturday December 4 to Monday December 6, 2010.
Participating countries will be Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Syria and Morocco. The artistic director for the 2010 edition is Marcel Schwierin from Berlin.
For the complete program of the event, click here.  

Choral Workshop ... in Arabic

In the following YouTube link (click here) is an invitation to participate in a six-day choral workshop - to perform traditonal sayings; participants write the lyrics and the music themselves. Reharsals take place every evening from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The performance itself is on Monday December 6, 2010.
Given my zero knowledge of Arabic I am not in a position to say more about this event but I received the link from a CLEG reader (thanks Karima) that has passed me already several good tips in the past so I have no doubts it must be something interesting and fun and am happy to post it for CLEG Arabic speaking readers.  

Cairo International Film Festival 2010

The 34th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival will kick off on Tuesday November 30 and will run until Thursday December 9, 2010.
You will find a complete schedule of the event here. The schedule is arranged by venue so you have to click on the single venues to see the daily schedule for that specific venue.

EL DAMMAH THEATER FOR FREE ARTS (former EL TANBURA HALL)

El Tanbura Hall has opened in August 2010 and is the brainchild of the people of El Mastaba Center for Egyptian Folk Music and of El Tanbura (the musical ensemble) founder and musical director Zakaria Ibrahim. The venue hosts weekly a performance from El Tanbura on Friday and from Sudanese group Rango on Thursday, both commencing at 9:30 PM (this is valid at time of posting, please refer to the weekly agenda for current schedule) plus special events.

El Tanbura Hall is located at 30A, El Balaqsa St., Abdin. In my humble opinion, the best way to get there is to take the metro and get down at Mohammed Naguib station. Once cleared the turnstiles, look for the exit to your right leading to Mohamed Farid street. Up the stairs out of the station, walk straight (you have a police station on the left side of the road) keeping your right. After a few meters the roads forks, almost imperceptibly, and, if you continue to keep right, leads you in a pedestrian alley with lots of baladi cafes with outdoor tables. Walk through them until you reach a big road. This is Tahrir street. Cross it and continue straight into what looks like the natural continuation of the alley you were coming from. This is a small street with lots of small shops (lot of tailors) called El Balaqsa (unmarked in all maps in my possession). Walk about 100 meters and you'll find on your right the El Tanbura Hall. It is impossible to miss it because of the posters plastered on the outside wall. At concert time there is also a small ticket stand and a table with cds on sale.
If you want to venture there by car and do not have a driver, you can try park along Tahrir Street, but probably your best bet is the big parking lot in Falaki Square. You'll still have to walk a bit longer than if you take the metro, but it is an interesting area to walk in.
The hall itself looks like a converted shop or garage (that probably is what it actually was) and hosts about 100 people on neatly arranged stools. At the performance I assisted to voices and instruments were not amplified, and the sound, given how small is the hall, was good. There are toilet facilities and it is (thankfully) forbidden to smoke inside. Tickets can be bought at the entrance and sell for 20 LE.

El Tanbura Hall: 30A, El Balaqsa St., Abdin
For additional information call 010 50995354 or email info@el-mastaba.org
El Mastaba Center for Egyptian Folk Music has a website and a facebook page.

EL WARSHA Theater Group with Rabei Zein at El Tanbura Hall

This is quite late in coming in, but tonight Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 8:30 PM El Tanbura Hall (30 A El Balaqsa Str. Abidin- Downtown - Tel. 010 3171762)  will host El Warsha Theater Group featuring Rabei Zein.

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC November 27 - December 3, 2010

It seems a rather subdued week, but we have the International Film Festival starting on the 30th that will keep most of the Opera House venues (along with other cinemas in the city) occupied till December 9. Will make a post about the CIFF as soon as the program is published.

Saturday, November 27, 2010
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andreas Spörri with soloist Hassan Sharara (violin) present works from Mendelssohn and Schubert in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Basata (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:00 PM
- Cairokee (Modern Arabic Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM

Sunday, November 28, 2010
- Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Juliette Annerino (USA/Jazz & Soul) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the After Eight, 10:00 PM
- Samaa’ for Religious Chants and Sufi Music  at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi, 8:00 PM

Monday, November 29, 2010
- Zabaleen Trash Band in the Plaza of AUC New Cairo Campus 1:00 PM (at 4:00 PM the movie “Garbage Dreams” will be screened in the Mary Cross Lecture Hall, followed by a Q&A session with actors, filmmakers and members of the Spirit of Youth Association)
- Asaala Group (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre, 8:00 PM
- In the framework of the Lebanese Culture Week there is a Folkloric and Poetry event at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30
- DJ Awadi Brothers (Funky Groovy Tunes) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Tuesday, November 30, 2010
- El-Sakia String Orchestra conducted by Mohamed Saad Basha with soloist Hossam Shehata (violin) present works from Pachelbel, Bach, Albinoni and Händel in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00
- Egoz (Rock’n’Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Dj Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Wednesday, December 1, 2010
- F.I., The Simplexity, The Public (Rock) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30
- DJ Doody at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Thursday, December 2, 2010
- The Rat Pack Tribute Show and Las Vegas Show (USA) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble for Arab Music at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Ashara Gharby (Contemporary Egyptian music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Rango (Sudanese Music) at the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Friday, December 3, 2010
- The Rat Pack Tribute Show and Las Vegas Show (USA) in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Hosam Sakr Ensemble for Religious Singing at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- El Tanbura (Folk Music from Port Said) in the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

MaKan special program: Nass Makan and Kalakar trust (India)

On Tuesday November 23 and Wednesday November 24, 2010 MaKan will present a special event in cooperation with the Kalakar trust. The resident band Nass Makan will be joined by performers linked with the work of the trust whose aim is to promote art projects in Delhi's slums.
Concerts start at 9:00 PM, doors open at 8:30pm. Tickets: 30 LE at the door. Tea and Karkade are served.
You can reserve a seat by writing to makan@egyptmusic.org  or calling 02 27920878. Reservation are canceled at 9:00 PM.

Italian Film Forum at AUC

THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO (Office of Student Development) and Itaca present "The Italian Film Forum at AUC".
Tuesday November 23, 2010 at 7:00 PM the movie "CARO DIARIO" (1993) by Nanni Moretti will be screened in Room 753 of the Falaki Building– Downtown Campus. The movie will be in Italian language with  English subtitles and will be introduced by Mariam Hamdy.  Free entry.

Caro Diario entwines three different stories while alternating between fictional and documentary styles. Their common protagonist is the director himself, Nanni Moretti, known in Italian cinema for his intellectual, difficult and inspiring style. Reworking a series of commonplaces about Italy and Italians, this 1993 movie reshapes the streets of Rome while carrying the spectator on the back of his vespa, presents and problematizes Italian social values in a trip between the city and the periphery, the traditional and the new.

AL RAWI - Egypt's Heritage Review

There is a new interesting addition to the list of publications in English language covering Egypt's cultural heritage. Al RAWI, a beautiful quarterly magazine, has come out with its first issue and, if they continue along this path, I can foresee a brilliant future for the team behind this publication. I might have been influenced by a five pages (!) article devoted to Egyptian traditional musical instruments but I strongly believe that there are few better ways to part with 15 Egyptian pounds.
For a taste of what awaits you on print, click here to visit AL RAWI website.
And for Facebook enthusiasts, there is also a AL RAWI facebook page.

Don's Views and Reviews - The European-Egyptian Contemporary Music Society and the Egyptian Contemporary Music Ensemble

An exciting new development on the local musical scene is the creation of the European-Egyptian Contemporary Music Society (EECMS), and its spin-off, the Egyptian Contemporary Music Ensemble (ECME). CLEG first reported to you about these new institutions in late October, and now we have some interesting updates.

The EECMS has an ambitious agenda: to present often under-appreciated classical music of the 20th and 21st centuries to Cairo, with an emphasis, when possible, on living composers. Many of these works can be difficult, even to highly knowledgeable listeners, but there are also very intriguing works that are far more accessible to the average listener.

The ECME inaugural concert on 27 October 2010, at AUC’s Ewart Memorial Hall had an exciting array of contemporary pieces, some a bit difficult (at least to this listener), some very accessible, but all captivating. HW Henze’s “In Lieblicher Blaue” (1958) was perhaps the most atonal and difficult work, but even hearing it for the first time its meaning and structure began to emerge. Schoenberg’s “Five pieces for Orchestra” (1909) had even more interest – and it is a work readily available on CD. Most compelling, at least at first listen, was the most modern piece, GF Hass’ brand new “Trio ex uno” (2011) which started with medieval type polyphony and then explored fascinating new directions. The ECME musicians (mostly Egyptians, although some based in other countries of the region or Europe) played these unfamiliar works with great sensitivity and understanding.

An excellent feature of the ECME program was the introductory talk by Dr Christian Meyer from the Schönberg Centre, Vienna, Austria who introduced the composers and the context of their works, highlighting special aspects of both the composition and performance. We hope that this is a tradition that will be continued!

A less happy feature of the inaugural concert was the venue. The cavernous Ewart Memorial Hall is not the best place to launch contemporary chamber music. Even Mozart or Schumann might have difficulty filling that hall! Why not AUC’s Oriental Hall, a far more intimate venue?

But back to the future plans of EECMS. Tentatively scheduled for 9 March 2011 is a Swiss Contemporary Music program, focusing, naturally, on works by Swiss composers, and those who worked in Switzerland. More details will be provided closer to the event. But most interesting, I believe, is that the EECMS plans to draw upon and develop the rich tradition of Egyptian music, with all of its various strands (Arabic, Coptic, Islamic, even Pharaonic). As ECMS Artistic Director Sherif el Razzaz says “There is a great tradition of music in Egypt, with fantastic composers whose works are little known to the public. But often their technical skills are not developed; with these skills and the right exposure we are convinced they could reach international audiences”

The showpiece event for the emphasis on local composers will be the Alexandrina Biennale II in 2011, under the coordination of the ECMS. This festival, combined with the Cairo Contemporary Music Days, follows the successful first Biennale in 2009 presented in cooperation with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) and Cairo Opera House (COH). The Biennale is structured around a series of concerts presented in Cairo and Alexandria by renowned international ensembles. An accompanying series of workshops, seminars and composition development sessions will bring together visiting and local musicians, students and composers for closer interaction and collaboration. The festival Academy activities will be based in Cairo at The American University Cairo (AUC) and the Cairo Conservatoire. New works by Egyptian and other regional composers will be performed. Commissions for new works will be competitively awarded. The “Arabic Composer in Focus” for 2011 is Saed Haddad, a Jordanian presently resident in Germany, who exemplifies the goal of blending the traditional Arab musical culture with contemporary techniques and structures.

ECMS has far more in store for next year. CLEG will continue to follow with great interest their musical journey and will keep you posted about their upcoming events once I get the details.    

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Nov. 20 - Nov. 26, 2010

Saturday, November 20, 2010
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Tarek Mahran with soloists Yong Ki Choi (Clarinet) and Tamer Kamaal (Bassoon) present works from Mozart and von Weber at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Khaled El Showeikh Violin Recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- El Masreyeen Band led by Hany Shenouda in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:30 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM

Sunday, November 21, 2010
- Abdel Halim Noweira Ensemble for Arab Music in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Sobhi Bidair & Friends with Nayer Nagui in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ahmad El Haggar & Band in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Tokio Noise by Zbigniew Karkowski (Electronic music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:00 PM
- Eftekasat (Oriental Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- “East meets West” with Nathan Fisher (Guitar & Oud) in the Sharjah Art Gallery of AUC New Cairo Camus, 17:30 PM
- Beshir (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the After Eight, 10:00 PM
- Samaa’ for Religious Chants and Sufi Music at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi, 8:00 PM

Monday, November 22, 2010
- Nagham Masry (Contemporary Egyptian music) and Eftekasat (Oriental Jazz) in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30
- DJ Omar El Sherif (Funky Latin House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Tuesday, November 23, 2010
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present the ballet Zorba with music by Mikis Theodorakis in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Philarmonic Chamber Orchestra conducted by Ahmed El Saedi with soloist Viktor Jugovic (Piano) present works from Beethoven, Chopin and Mozart in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Nass Makan and Kalakar trust (Special Program) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Bad Mojo (Blues) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Dj Dina El Ghareeb at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Wednesday, November 24, 2010
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present the ballet Zorba with music by Mikis Theodorakis in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Ahmed Rabie Band in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Kadri Sroor (Nay) in the Malak Gabr Arts Theatre of AUC New Cairo Campus, 1:00 PM
- Ali El Haggar (Contemporary Egyptian Music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 9:00 PM
- Nass Makan and Kalakar trust (Special Program) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM
- DJ Selim (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- DJ Doody at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Thursday, November 25, 2010
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present the ballet Zorba with music by Mikis Theodorakis in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Cairo Opera Company Gala concert at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Kholthomiat in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera house, 8:00 PM
- Yorka Band (Andalusian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Rango (Sudanese Music) at the El Tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM
- Screwdriver (Rock’n’Roll) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Friday, November 26, 2010
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company and Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nader Abbassi present the ballet Zorba with music by Mikis Theodorakis in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Salma Adel Sami (Soprano), Elena Dzamashvili (Piano), John Hanna (Horn), Ahmed Nabil (Violin) present works from Bach, Mozart, Schumann and others in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Fathi Salama Sharkiat in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- El Tanbura (Folk Music from Port Said) in the El tanbura Hall, 9:30 PM
- Eftekasat (Oriental Jazz) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- DJ Amir Sharara and Digital Monkeys (Funky Groovy) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

2010 International Freedom to Create Prize Award Ceremony and Concert

The Freedom to Create Prize is an annual award that celebrates the courage and creativity of artists around the world who use their talent to promote social justice and inspire the human spirit. It offers artists local and global recognition, inspiring them to use their creativity to transform society. This year’s Award Ceremony and Concert will take place on Friday 26 November, 2010 at 7:00 PM at Cairo`s Salah El Din Citadel and will be hosted by international actor and UN Goodwill Ambassador Amr Waked and US television presenter Femi Oke, with performances by:

HAKIM – Egyptian superstar and the first music artist from an Arab country to perform at a Nobel Peace Prize event

DONIA MASSOUD – internationally renowned Egyptian culture and folk singer

ARABIAN KNIGHTZ – Egyptian hip hop artists and 2010 Freedom to Create Prize entrants, combining traditional Arabic music with contemporary new sounds to call for Arab unity and understanding

EeS – groundbreaking Namibian musician and 2010 Freedom to Create Prize entrant, shaking up the African KWAITO music scene

For free tickets call +2 01502417147 / +2 01502 417148 or email your name, number of tickets requested, postal address and contact number to: tickets@freedomtocreate.com 
Website: www.freedomtocreate.com

Nass Makan and Nils Auckland & Rolf Erik Duo in concert TONIGHT

Sorry for late posting (am on holiday) but I just received news that tonight Monday November 15, 2010 the musicians of Nass Makan and Nils Auckland & Rolf Erik duo from Norway will play at the Makan at 9:00 PM. Doors open at 8:30pm. Tickets: 20 LE for pre reservation, 30 LE at the Door. Reservations are cancelled at 9:00 PM. Tea and Karkade are served.

 
MakAn: 1 (Not 1a) Saad Zaghloul Street, 11461, El Dawaween, Cairo (on the corner of across Saad Zaghloul and Mansour street)
Email: makan@egyptmusic.org 

Tel: 00202 27920878

http://www.egyptmusic.org

El Tanboura in concert

A night of Simsimeya and Damma music with El Tanboura, straight from Port Said and the Suez Canal area. A celebration of the history of the country, its traditions and the hardships of life with wit and humor and an unmistakable, unique sound.
On Saturday Friday November 12, 2010 at 9:30 at the El Tanboura Hall – 30 A El Balaqsa Str. Abdin- Downtown – Cairo (it's the last small street on the right off of Tahrir st., before Abdin Sq.)

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Nov. 13 - Nov. 19, 2010

Saturday, November 13, 2010
- Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adel Shalaby and the Munich Percussion Ensemble (Germany) with soloists Dalia Farouk (Soprano), Sobhi Bidair (Tenor) and Thomas Stimmel (Baritone) present Carl Orff’s CARMINA BURANA and the CARMEN SUITE by Bizet-Shchedrin in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Gaetano Donizetti’s opera “Don Pasquale” live in HD from the New York Metropolitan Opera in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Michelle Rounds (Pacific Islands/Jazz) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:00 PM
- Bel Makloob Band (Rock) in the River Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:30 PM
- Ashara Gharby (Reggae, Blues and Afro Beats) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM

Sunday, November 14, 2010
- Rüya Taner  (Turkey/Piano) presents works from Schumann, Liszt and Ince in the Golden Hall of the Mohammed Ali Palace in Manial, 8:00 PM 
- The National Theatre of Belgrade (Serbia) presents “Who Is Singing Over There” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Religious Song Ensemble in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Fook El Sath (Acoustic music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:30 PM
- Samaa’ for Religious Chants and Sufi Music at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi, 8:00 PM

Monday, November 15, 2010
- The National Theatre of Belgrade (Serbia) presents “Who Is Singing Over There” in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Iman Moustafa recital with Arzou Aleskerov (Piano) in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Mohamed Adaweya (Arabic music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM (This show could be cancelled because of the Eid celebrations. Please click on the link to get the telephone number where you can call to obtain information)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM (This show is not yet confirmed at time of posting and could be cancelled because of the Eid celebrations. Please click on the link to get the telephone number where you can call to obtain information)
- Wust El Balad (Modern Egyptian Folk) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, November 17, 2010
- Ashara Gharby (Contemporary Egyptian Music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00 PM (This show is not yet confirmed at time of posting and could be cancelled because of the Eid celebrations. Please click on the link to get the telephone number where you can call to obtain information)
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 8:30 PM (This show could be cancelled because of the Eid celebrations. Please click on the link to get the telephone number where you can call to obtain information)
- DJ Selim (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, November 18, 2010
- “Rising Star of the Opera” recital with Osama Tantawy, Ashraf Philippe, Caterine Kahla and Sherif El Dabaa, accompanied on the piano by Arzou Aleskerov and Haig Avakian in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Sodfa Band and Taxi Band (Contemporary Egyptian Music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 7:00 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Friday, November 19, 2010
- Amal El Shahed and Ghada Shaker Piano Duo Recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Nogoum El Tarab Ensemble led by Moustafa Ahmed at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Haitham Nabil (Arabic music) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Slim (Progressive Electro Beats) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Michelle Rounds and Ruya Taner concerts

Two events not to be missed will take place over the weekend for Jazz and Classical music lovers.
On Saturday, November 13, 2010 the Pacific Island's jazz singer Michelle Rounds will perform in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek at 8:00 PM.

And on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the Prince Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial, the Turkish pianist Ruya Taner will present pieces from Schumann, Liszt, and Ince at 8:00 PM

AUC Book Presentation

On Wednesday, November 10, 2010 the American University in Cairo Press will present three new titles in the realm of Architecture and the Arts, namely "The Minarets of Cairo", "Hassan Fathy and Continuity in Islamic Arts and Architecture", and "Babylon of Egypt".
The event will take place in the Hassan Fathy House, Haret Darb El Labbana (near Salah el-Din Square) at 6:00 PM.
For more details and a map of the location, click here.

I take this opportunity to reply to the readers who inquired about the "Cairo Family Guide". The NEW edition is now definitely available at AUC bookstores and should be in other good bookstores as well. If you are offered the old edition, you can ask the bookseller to order the new one for you.

Egyptian Philarmonic Society Concert Program

Whaat follows is the program of the concert by the Egyptian Philarmonic Society that will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 8:00 PM in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Tahrir Campus:

- Roberto Molinelli: "4 Scenes from New York for piano,strings and saxophone solo"
- Astor Piazzolla: "Adios nonino", "Milonga del Angel", "Muerte del Angel", "Resurrection del Angel"

Soloist: Federico Mondeli, saxophone
Conductor: Ahmed El Saedi

Tribute to Greek Short Movies

The Greek Cultural Center in Cairo organizes a two-day tribute to Greek short films. The screenings will take place in the El Kalima Hall of El Sawy Cultural Centre in Zamalek on Monday, November 8 and Tuesday November 9, 2010 at 8:00 PM. The program is as follows:

Monday November 8, 2010: 7 films Duration 133’ ( 2hours 13 minutes)

1. "The Dress" (2001) by Monika Vaxevani duration: 34’
Drapetsona 1957. kate feels suffocated in a hopeless and irritating routine. An old dress motivates her to claim something that her mother didn t dare to: the right of living more than just surving or – at least- a simple walk to the port
2. “Your Eyelashes are Sparkling” (1961) by Costas Ferris duration 7’ 0”
A study on two “rebetika” songs: Your eyelashes are sparkling, and the serenade of the dawn. The film was not releasd because of censorship at the Film festival of Thessaloniki 1961
3 “Pilala” (2004) by Theo Papadoulakis duration 15’ 0”
Adypas, a 12 year boy upsets the small village on his way to his grandfathers cafe. This cafe is the only place with electric power after a black out. Adypas lives an adventure that becomes a race.
4. "Shrink" (2005) by SPYROS PAPANASTASIOU duration 19’ 0”
Makis is trying to park his manager s car, a huge luxurious jeep, in the centre of a chaotic city. His girlfriend is waiting for him at the port for their summer vacations to a beautiful island. Yet, the jeep is huge, there is no available space and Makis feels suffocated. Suddenly, two African magicians appear and they propose that they shrink the jeep and park it on a shelf in their small shop, among other miniatures... Makis accepts, as he is desparate,and the two magicians realise their proposal with spellings in front of him. Makis wiil manage to meet his girlfriend on time after unbelievable adventures, but in a way he could never imagine.
5. "The Mirror Stage" (2005) SPYROS SIAKAS Duration: 9’ 1’’
The last moments of a wooden doll waiting the strings that will transform her to a puppet dancer. Outside her window, a dance poster functions as a mirror stage where the puppet is trying to identify her Ego like a baby in front of a mirror.
6. “Instructions” (2008) by Konstantinos Gialouridis Duration 26’ 0”
A new bed causes the meeting of two completely different people: a man who lives closed in an invisible square box and a girl who lives in a hand made room in the centre of the city. The girl is using her inventiveness and her craft to talk to him but eventually the only way that he listens to her is by reading a simple manual.
7. "The Jaws of Death” by Kyriakos Chatzimichailidis duration 23’
The unpredictable difficulties that Death has to deal with in his route to receive a human soul.
Even Death, in the frame of his important mission to receive a soul, might be disorientated and fall in love. Indeed, a beautiful woman that represents Life enter his way. The human soul gets an extention of life and the man who owns it is saved by a miracle.

Tuesday November 9, 2010: 6 films duration 117 minutes ( 1hour 57 minutes)

1. "Mercedes" (2004) by Simos Korexenidis Duration: 23’
I gave 300.000 dr for things as uniforms and shoes because my soul is bound with this place... And the time comes they wil say... he was one of us.. one of us...
2 . “Hercules, Acheloos, and my granny” by Dimitris Koytsiabasakos
Dimitra Koutsiabasakou is 80 years old and lives alone at the village Armatoliko. Next to her house is the river Acheloos,that sepates her village from the village Mesohora. At this exact location a dam is under constraction, one of the biggest in the world. Grandma's house is in the middle of the area that wil become lake. Hew three grand children are visiting her and they shoot this documentary film.
3. “Listen…” by Katerina Filiotou duration: 27” 0”
Giannis and Sophia are married for 20 years. They have a peaceful life until something happens...
4. "The Last Fakir" (2005) Babis Makridis Duration 13’ 0”
Ali Kazan is the last authentic fakir left. The escape of the fakir from the exploitation of a european former magician.
5. "Ground Floor" (2007) Haris Stathopoulos duration 16’ 0”
It is a shiny day. Rea is at her new apartment on the fifth floor in a good area. Everything seems to be normal. But when she is trying to get out of the building something strange happens: she can t find the ground floor. The floors and the names on the door bells are changing arbitrarily. There is nithing to help her, not her mobile phone, nor her clothes or her money. Now she must change to find her way out.
6. "The Law of Gravity" (2002) SPYROS RASSIDAKIS Duration 8; 0”
By attempting to overcome ourselves and forgeting the laws of the nature, we reach to the edge of the cliff. And most of the times we fall off...

Synopsis taken from the press release of the Greek Cultural Centre

WEEKLY AGENDA MUSIC Nov. 6 to Nov. 12, 2010

Saturday, November 6, 2010
- 19^th Arab Music Festival in the Main Hall and Small Hall of Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Sharara Sextet with Alexandria Opera House Chamber Music Orchestra present music by Attia Sharara in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Yahia Khalil (Jazz) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:00 PM
- Massar Egbari (Contemporary Egyptian Rock) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 9:00 PM

Sunday, November 7, 2010
- 19^th Arab Music Festival in the Main Hall and Small Hall of Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
 - Agmal Abazer (Sudanese Reggae) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:30 PM
- Amir Mousa (Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Center, 8:00 PM
- Nomads Intercontinental (World Jazz) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Peace Message with Samaa and Indonesian Troupe at the Ghouri Palace, 8:00 PM
- El-Nil Troupe for folk instruments (Folk music and songs) at Beit Al-Suheimi 9:30 PM

Monday, November 8, 2010
- 19^th Arab Music Festival in the Main Hall and Small Hall of Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Manal Mohei Eldin (Harp) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- The Lions of Cairo directed by John Baboukis in the Ewart memorial Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Wust El Balad (Oriental Jazz) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray 8:30 PM
- DJ Samba (Funky) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Tuesday, November 9, 2010
- 19^th Arab Music Festival in the Main Hall and Small Hall of Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Nagham Masry (Egyptian music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Nass Makan (Nubian music, Zikr and Sufi songs, Sudanese music and songs) at the Makan Centre 9:00 PM
- Organic Shift (Improvisations) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Wednesday, November 10, 2010
- 19^th Arab Music Festival in the Main Hall and Small Hall of Cairo Opera House and at the Gomhouria Theatre, 8:00 PM
- Ali El Farouk Trio in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Blue Notes (Blues) in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:30 PM
- Kadri Sroor (Nay) recital in the Malak Gabr Arts Theater of AUC New Cairo Campus, 1:00 PM
- Philarmonic Chamber Orchestra conducted by Ahmed El Saedi, with soloist Federico Mondeli (Italy/Saxophone) in the Ewart Memorial Hall of AUC Downtown Campus, 8:00 PM
- Mazaher Ensemble at the Makan, 9:00 PM
- Al-Ghouri Tannoura Dance Group at the Ghouri Caravansaray, 9:00 PM
- DJ Ramy (Boogie Night) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM

Thursday, November 11, 2010
- National Orchestra of Korea in the Main Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Oshak El Nagham Ensemble conducted by Mohamed Abdel Sattar in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Live! Music Festival with Shady Ahmed, Evelyn Brown, Zac Taylor, Kris Roche in the River Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Sehr El Shark with Belal El Sheikh (Oriental music) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- Crash Boom Bang (Funk and Dance Floor covers) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Sahra Band (Rai music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Friday, November 12, 2010
- Fathy Salama and The Source Band (Norway) at the Geneina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park, 8:00 PM
- Rania Yehia flute recital in the Small Hall of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- National Arab Music Ensemble in the Open Air Theatre of Cairo Opera House, 8:00 PM
- Amro Salah Jazz Trio with guest singer Noha Fekry (Jazz) in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek, 8:00 PM
- DJ Migo (House) at the Cairo Jazz Club, 10:30 PM
- Salalem (Egyptian music) at the After Eight Club, 10:00 PM

Poetry and Music evening with Charlotte Rampling and Polydoros Vogiatzis

British-French actress Charlotte Rampling and Greek actor Polydoros Vogiatzis, accompanied by Varvara Gyra on guitar will read text by Marguerite Yourcenar and Constantin Cavafy on Tuesday November 9, 2010 at 8:00 PM at the French Cultural Centre in Alexandria.
In French and Greek language. Free Entry.
To read a presentation of the event in English (prepared for their Athen performance), click here.

If only this event would also come to Cairo .... , but well, at present it is scheduled in Alexandria only and since Cavafy lived there (actually not far from the CFCC), I guess it is understandable to do it there. If you are interested, the only way is to get a day off and head for the coast. The train is a great option!

Bibliotheca Alexandrina Film Program November 2010

Sunday, November 7, 2010
SHORT FILM FORUM: FILMS FROM THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, in collaboration with Dubai Film Festival
"ARABANA", Directed by Nayla El-Khaja, U.A.E – Fiction – 2006 – 7 min.
"HOBOOB" Directed by Said Salmeen El-Murry, U.A.E – Fiction – 2005 – 23 min.
"ANNA RAGOUL" (I AM A MAN). Directed by Shamna Abu Nawas & Sahar El-Khatib, U.A.E – Documentary – 2006 – 19 min.
"MARRAYA EL-SAMT" (MIRROS OF SILENCE), Directed by Nawaf El-Janahi, U.A.E – Fiction – 2006 – 16 min.
"WAGH ALEK" (STUCK FACE), Directed by Manal Ali Ben Amro, U.A.E – Experimental – 2007 – 6 min.
"TENBAK", Directed by Abd Allah Hassan Ahmed, U.A.E – Fiction – 2007 – 26 min.
(All films are subtitled in English)

Thursday, November 11, 2010
Plaza Project Screenings – Second Edition
"Da Mosh Pipe" (This is not a Pipe), Directed by Dina Abdel Salam, Egypt – Fiction – 2010 – 12 min.
"Esswed Melawwen" (Coloured Black), Directed by Ahmed El-Samra, Egypt – Fiction – 2010 – 11 min.
"Emel Da" (Let’s Do It), Directed by Mark Lotfy, Egypt – Fiction – 2010 – 13 min.
"Nosskha Shabeyya" (A Local Copy), Directed by Islam Kamal, Egypt – Fiction – 2010 – 19 min.
(The Screening is followed by a seminar with the directors)

Sunday, November 14, 2010
DOCUMENTARY FILM FORUM
"Ila Abee" (TO MY FATHER), Directed by Abd El-Salam Shehada, Palestine – Documentary – 2008 – 52 min.
(Arabic with English subtitles)

Sunday November 21 to Thursday November 25, 2010
ARAB CINEMA: MOROCCAN CLASSICS
"SHAMS EL-RABEE" (THE SPRING SUN), Directed by Latif Lahlou, Morocco – Fiction – 1969 – 86 min.
"WASHMA" (SIGN), Directed by Hamid Benani, Morocco – Fiction – 1970 – 110 min.
"CHERGUI – EL-SAMT EL-ANIE" (CHERGUI OR THE VIOLENT SILENCE), Directed by Moumen Smihi, Morocco – Fiction – 1975 – 90 min.
"EL-SARAB" (THE MIRAGE), Directed by Ahmed Bouanaui, Morocco – Fiction – 1979 – 100 min. "SAEI EL-BARID" (THE POST MAN), Directed by Hakim Noury, Morocco – Fiction – 1980 – 85 min.
(All in Arabic with English subtitles)

Sunday, November 28, 2010
ANIMATION FILM FORUM: Armenian Retrospective Program, Curated by Vrej Kassouny
"The Dog and the Cat", Directed by L.Atamanov
Armenia – Animation - 1938 - 10min.
"A Drop of Honey", Directed by V.Podpomogov
Armenia – Animation – 1968 - 12min.
"Vin the Penguin", Directed by S.Andranikyan
Armenia – Animation – 1972 – 10min.
"Abu-Hasan’s Shoes", Directed by R.P.Babayan
Armenia – Animation – 1974 – 10min.
"The Foxbook", Directed by Robert Sahakyants
Armenia – Animation – 1975 – 10 min
"Kikos", Directed by Robert Sahakyants
Armenia – Animation – 1979 – 9 min
"The Mice Meeting", Directed by L.Sahakyants
Armenia – Animation – 1978 – 10 min
"A Tale about a Mirror", Directed by A.Manaryan
Armenia – Animation – 1982 – 10 min
"The One Street War", Directed by G.Martirosyan
Armenia – Animation – 1989 – 10 min
"The Advices to American Traveler", Directed by Yu.Muradyan
Armenia – Animation – 1990 – 9 min
"Prediction", Directed by David Sahakyanc
Armenia – Animation – 2003 – 8 min
"This Way Every Evening", Directed by A.Andranikyan
Armenia – Animation – 1987 – 8 min
"The Big", Directed by V. Kassouny
Armenia – Animation – 2004 – 10 min
"To the Down", Directed by N. Muradyan
Armenia – Animation – 2008 – 4 min
"Daredevils of Sasun" (A five minutes extract of the film), Directed by Arman Manaryan
Armenia – Animation – 2010 – 8 min
(The Screening is followed by a seminar with the Armenian director Vrej Kassouny)

All Screenings start at 7:00 PM and are held in the Auditorium Hall, except for the Plaza project films, that is to be held in the Great Hall. Free Entrance.

Arab Music Festival, European Film Festival and Kamazada concert updates

Just to let you know that the program in English for the Arab Music Festival is now available here.
Also the program of the European Film Festival is available both on the website, and on the Facebook page.
The concert of Kamazada at the Geneina Theatre on Thursday November 4 will start at 8:00 PM and not at 9:00 as stated on the eka3 website.